The Linn County Cultural Coalition (LCCC) is soliciting grant proposals for projects which would promote and improve access to the arts, historical/heritage, and humanities activities in Linn County.

The LCCC has up to $15,000 to allocate for grants in this funding cycle.

The LCCC is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization affiliated with the Oregon State Cultural Trust. In Linn County, this funding has helped to support historic events and research such as the Pioneer Association-Village of Learning in Brownsville, the Lebanon Community Foundation – Star Spangled Celebration, Santiam Hearts to Arts – Poetry & Art Contest & Gallery and the “Procession of the Species,” Children’s Program in Albany.

Local Cultural Coalition funds have also been used to make improvements at the Harrisburg Museum and to purchase sound equipment for cultural events in Scio.

If you belong to a cultural organization that has a project which would meet the goals of the Linn County Cultural Coalition, the LCCC encourages you to apply for funds through its next grant funding program. The LCCC also is looking for dedicated individuals to serve on the Coalition’s Board and promote the culture activities of Linn County.

The Linn County Cultural Coalition’s goal is to promote and protect the cultural activities and assets of Linn County. Ultimately, the coalition “envisions a county with access to its rich and diverse arts, humanities, and historical heritage, a heritage which celebrates community pride and individuality.”

As a result, the funding priority will be to disseminate funds in as many communities in Linn County as possible.

Grants will be awarded in the range of $250 to $2,500. Projects must be completed by March 2011. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should be aware that projects may not be awarded the full amount requested.

The LCCC will assess proposals based on whether they address one or both of the following criteria: Fulfill one or more of the priorities established in the Linn County Cultural Plan and result in a demonstrable benefit to the residents of and visitors to Linn County.

Proposals must be submitted and signed by an authorized officer of a sponsoring non-profit organization. Organizations or individuals who do not have their own tax exempt status can be sponsored by a 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit organization.

Proposals must address culture – the arts, historical/heritage, and/or humanities – in Linn County and must reflect the priorities of the Linn County Cultural Plan to increase public awareness of cultural resources, encourage collaboration within and between cultural disciplines, enhance funding and access to art, heritage, and humanities activities and create a lifelong spectrum of cultural education opportunities for all county residents.

Copies of the grant application and the Linn County Cultural Plan can be found at: www.linnculture.org, or you can request a copy by contacting Brian Carroll at (541) 967-3917 or bcarroll@co.linn.or.us or Audie Heikkila at (503) 394-3389.

Application should be mailed to: Brian Carroll/Linn County Cultural Coalition, PO Box 69, Albany, OR 97321-0020 or they can be dropped off at the Linn County Parks office 3010 Ferry St. SW, Albany, OR. Grant requests must be received by March 12, 2010 at 5 p.m. The Coalition will review the proposals and make funding decisions in late March 2010.